In this article, we make searching for the right hearing aid for your circumstances easier. In the
first part, we share a few factors you should consider to find the best fit for your specific needs.
In the second part, we explore the different types of hearing aids and their features, advantages,
and weak points. You will also learn about the differences between over-the-counter and
custom hearing aids to make the right choice for your situation and enjoy happier listening.
Factor 1: Degree of your hearing loss
Undergoing a hearing test (such as an audiometry exam) and understanding the level of your
hearing loss is crucial to exploring available hearing aids for you. Audiometry results (known as
the audiogram) will define the level of your hearing loss and give you an overview of what type
of hearing aids you can choose.
If you have healthy hearing (which is hearing loss less than 25 dB) you do not have any problem
with hearing, and you do not need any hearing aid. Read below for device descriptions for
hearing loss greater than 25 dB.
All devices:
● Mild hearing loss (26-40 dB):
Quiet and soft conversations or situations with just a hint of noise may be tiring.
● Moderate hearing loss (41-60 dB):
It helps when you raise the volume of the radio and television, and ordinary
conversations with some background noise may be challenging to comprehend.
Only Behind-the-Ear (BTE) and Receiver-In-Canal (RIC) devices:
● Severe hearing loss (61-80 dB):
You struggle with conversations, even in a quiet environment. You ask others to speak
louder or frequently repeat their statements.
● Profound hearing loss (over 80 dB):
You cannot hear speech or sounds of devices such as doorbells, ringing phones, or
running washing machines.
Types of hearing aids and their ability to address specific levels of hearing loss.
Device features will vary, so it’s important to understand the differences. If you spend a large
amount of time at home, you may need a different solution than if you lead an active, outdoors
life.
Custom earmolds for the highest comfort
When buying a hearing aid, you can choose between ear domes and custom earmolds that will
perfectly fityour ear canal. The latter are more expensive but can significantly improve
performance and comfort, thanks to a custom fit. You can read more about the benefits of
custom earmolds here (first article).
Hearing aid for active people
If you are looking for a hearing aid that you can wear during activities like biking, walking,
running, or any other sports, you should choose one of the larger hearing aids like Behind the
Ear (BTE), Receiver in Canal (RIC), or In The Ear (ITE). Their bigger size makes them easier to
handle if you want to fix their position in the ear. Longer running time on the same battery
makes them great companions for extended activities like long hikes.
Smaller hearing aids like In-the-Canal (ITC) or Completely in the Canal (CIC) may also work for
you, but you need to ensure that they fit perfectly to the shape of your ear, which will secure
their position during motions. It is worth it to get custom shaping of your hearing aid or earmolds
to them.
It is also crucial to ensure that your hearing aids will deal with wind noise. Larger hearing aids
like Behind the Ear (BTE) should have a special function to cancel this noise. In contrast, the
design of smaller options like Invisible-in-the-Canal (IIC), Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC), or In-
the-Canal (ITC) aids allow the device to be deeply hidden within the auricle, minimizing wind-
related issues.
Lastly, it is highly recommended to choose waterproof hearing aids that provide protection in
various situations and environments.
Power - Choose between convenience and lower price
In thinking about the energy management of your hearing aid, you have two methods for
choosing:
1. The size of hearing aid dictates battery life. In general, the bigger the device, the longer
battery life. When choosing a tiny device, prepare to change or charge a battery more
often.
2. Hearing aids can be powered by replaceable zinc-air batteries or rechargeable lithium-
ion. Here is a quick summary of their features:
Batteries Rechargeable
This option is cheaper initially, but you have to
buy batteries for around €15-20 for a year's
supply
Requires a high level of dexterity
More expensive initially, but you don’t have to
buy batteries
Easy to use with a simple charger connection
Batteries need to be changed every 5-14
days, depending on usage and device size
3 hours of charging allows 24 hours of use
Available in all hearing aid sizes Limited choice of hearing aid size
Factor 3: Functions of the hearing aid
Below, we have outlined some key features of hearing aids available on the market.
Understanding these features will empower you to make informed decisions on your journey to
finding the perfect hearing aid that suits your needs.
● AI hearing aid support
AI (Artificial Intelligence) support in hearing aids is an emerging technology that aims to
enhance the functionality and performance of these devices.
This feature offers several potential benefits. It enables automatic and intelligent
adjustments based on the listening environment, optimizing the sound settings for
different situations. This option includes automatically reducing background noise,
enhancing speech clarity, and adapting to changing acoustic conditions.
Furthermore, hearing aids supported by AI can learn and adapt to the wearer's
preferences and behaviors over time. They can track usage patterns, adjust
amplification levels, and even provide insights and feedback to the user or hearing care
professional.
One of the leading companies that include this feature in its hearing aids is Starkey with
its Genesis AI Technology.
● 360-degree spatial sound
Some modern hearing aids have a feature that allows you to experience 360° spatial
sound. You can focus on all sounds around you or just directly in front of you. As a
result, sounds become clearer with less effort and allow you to better understand speech
in any situation, even in very noisy environments.
Among the different types of hearing aids, the Behind-the-Ear (BTE) style is typically
considered the best for providing a 360-degree spatial sound experience. The
construction of BTE hearing aids allow them to capture sound from various directions
and provide a more natural and immersive sound perception.
● Tinnitus relief
Many people with hearing loss also experience tinnitus. However, modern hearing aids
allow you to play sounds that neutralize the nuisance of humming, balancing tinnitus and
bringing relief. If you experience tinnitus, ensure that your hearing aid has solutions that
help you with this disease. An example of such technology is Multiflex Tinnitus
Technology, built in Starkey’s hearing aids.
● Wireless connection - Bluetooth connection/smartphone apps
Wireless connection in your hearing aid allows you to receive phone calls or music or TV
sound directly in your hearing aid. It provides you with an experience of pure, clear, and
full sounds while not disturbing others around you. If you are a person who spends a lot
of time watching TV (you will need a smart TV with Bluetooth connection) or on your
smartphone, it is worth it to ensure that you will have this feature in your hearing aid.
This feature is quite common in larger hearing aids like BTE, RIC, and ITE due to their
size. Smaller devices like IIC, CIC, and ITC can also have wireless connections, but it is
more commonly available in their advanced models.
● The Telecoil (T-Coil)
Think about a situation when you are at a busy railway station, and you try to hear the
announcements on which platform your train is departing. This example is when T-Coil
can be valuable.
T-Coil technology is a small coil of wire built into a hearing aid that functions as a
receiving antenna, allowing the hearing aid to pick up and amplify the magnetic signals
generated by compatible audio systems.
The T-Coil feature is particularly useful in environments equipped with public hearing
loop systems. Places like schools, theaters, airports, railway stations, or concerts may
be equipped with loop systems or hearing assistive technologies.
After activating the T-Coil switch (physically on your hearing aid or within an application
on your smartphone), your hearing aid can directly receive sound from loop-enabled
devices without needing additional accessories. This feature enhances accessibility,
improves speech understanding, and reduces background noise, making it easier for
individuals with hearing loss to participate in conversations and enjoy various audio
experiences or sound messages.
If you do not know where to find T-Coil technology, just look for this sign in public places.
If you spot it, you will know your T-Coil will work there.
The Telecoil (T-Coil) feature is found in various types of larger hearing aids, like Behind-
the-Ear (BTE) and In-the-Ear (ITE) styles. Smaller hearing aids like Invisible-in-the-
Canal (IIC) or Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC) often do not have this built-in as they are
simply too small to have it on board. However, it's worth noting that technological
advancements are constant, and some manufacturers may offer more advanced models
of IIC or CIC hearing aids that include the T-Coil feature.
Factor 4: Appearance
When you find the best hearing aid that fits the factors above, there is still one significant factor
to consider – the appearance of your hearing aid. Larger hearing aids (behind-the-ear or larger
in-ear models) may be the best solution if you need extended battery life and lots of extra
features packed into a device. Smaller in-ear hearing aids work best for patients with mild to
moderate hearing loss who want the most discreet look possible but may have shorter battery
life and fewer features as T-coil. You can also choose different colors for your hearing aid and
make it more aligned with your style.
If the appearance of the hearing aid is very important to you, you should choose between
Invisible in the Canal (IIC) or Completely In the Canal (CIC).
Invisible In the Canal (IIC)
Invisible In the Canal (IIC) hearing aids are discreet and virtually invisible devices that fit deep
within the ear canal, making them barely noticeable to others. They offer a high level of
cosmetic appeal as they are custom-made to fit the unique contours of the wearer's ear. Despite
their small size, IIC hearing aids provide excellent sound quality and can be suitable for
individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss.
Completely In the Canal (CIC)
Completely In the Canal (CIC) hearing aids are tiny devices that do just as their name suggests
and sit entirely within your ear canal. This position means that they are almost completely
invisible to the outside world – unless someone were to look directly inside your ear. It is similar
in performance to the IIC hearing aids but can offer longer working time on one battery, can
have more features, and could be a bit cheaper than ICC. This type of hearing aid is suitable for
mild and moderate hearing loss.
IMPORTANT!
For both types of hearing aids (IIC or CIC) to reach the best performance, they must created in
a custom shape. When customized, IIC and CIC hearing aids will perfectly fit into your ear canal
and deliver clear sound amplification directly to your ear. If you are interested in what the
process of preparing the custom hearing aid or custom ear-molds (for BTE or ITE) looks like,
you can read more about it in the next section of this article.
In-the-Canal (ITC)
In-the-Canal (ITC) hearing aids are custom-made to fit partially in the ear canal. They are
smaller than In-the-Ear (ITE) devices and are generally less visible. ITC hearing aids offer a
discreet appearance while providing a comfortable fit and improved sound quality. However,
their small size may limit the inclusion of advanced features, and they may be more challenging
to handle and adjust than larger styles.
In-the-Ear (ITE)
in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids are custom-made to fit inside the outer portion of the ear. ITE
devices are larger and more visible than smaller styles since they are designed to fill the entire
bowl-shaped area of the outer ear. They are suitable for a wide range of hearing loss types and
offer features like volume controls and program settings. ITE hearing aids are easier to handle
and adjust than smaller styles but may be more noticeable due to their size.
Receiver-In-Canal (RIC)
Receiver-In-Canal (RIC) hearing aids combine elements of both Behind-the-Ear (BTE) and In-
the-Ear (ITE) designs. RIC hearing aids consist of a small behind-the-ear portion that houses
the electronic components, while the receiver (speaker) is positioned inside the ear canal. The
receiver is connected to the behind-the-ear portion by a thin wire or tube. This design allows for
a more discreet appearance while providing a comfortable fit, improved sound quality, and the
option for various sizes and styles of earpieces.
Behind-the-Ear (BTE)
A Behind-the-Ear (BTE) hearing aid is worn behind or on top of the ear. It consists of a small
plastic case that houses the electronic components, which connects to an earpiece or earmold
via a tube. BTE devices are suitable for various hearing loss types and severities and offer
features like directional microphones, volume controls, and wireless connectivity. Their external
design makes them capable of carrying a bigger battery (longer working time) and easier to
handle compared to smaller, in-the-ear styles.
The personalized fit of the hearing aid with a 3D scan
Hearing aids like Invisible-in-the-Canal (IIC) or Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC) must be crafted to
fit precisely to the specific shape of the ear canal. 3D scans are raising standards in preparing
such personalized hearing aids.
With a 3D scan, a highly detailed and accurate model of the ear canal is created. This digital
model can then be used to design and manufacture custom earmolds that precisely match the
individual's unique ear canal shape.
Using this technology for fitting IIC or CIC hearing aids can offer several advantages, including
improved accuracy, faster turnaround time, and the ability to store digital ear canal models for
future reference or adjustments.
Owning a personalized hearing aid can significantly enhance sound quality and increase overall
comfort by providing a precise and customized solution. If you are a person who has
experienced slight or moderate hearing loss and would like to get the highest quality sound
provided by your hearing aid, this option is right for you.
Hearing aid with custom earmolds
What is custom earmold? A custom earmold for a hearing aid is a specially designed and
personalized piece created to fit the individual's ear canal. It is typically made from a soft,
flexible material that is comfortable to wear. The purpose of a custom ear mold is to ensure a
secure and snug fit for the hearing aid within the ear, maximizing its performance by minimizing
sound leakage and improving sound quality. Custom earmolds are created based on an
impression or 3D scan of the person's ear canal.
What types of hearing aids need custom earmolds?
Custom earmolds are commonly used with Behind-the-Ear (BTE) and In-the-Ear (ITE) hearing
aids. For BTE hearing aids, a custom earmold is typically used to connect the hearing aid's
electronic components — which sit behind the ear — to the ear canal. In the case of ITE hearing
aids, the entire hearing aid is custom-made to fit within the ear, including the earmold portion.
● What type and degree of hearing loss do you have?
● What are your specific hearing needs and lifestyle requirements?
● Are there any physical or cosmetic considerations you have, such as the size or visibility
of the hearing aids?
● Do you have any dexterity or vision issues that may affect the handling and maintenance
of the devices?
● Are there specific features you need, such as Bluetooth connectivity, rechargeability, or
tinnitus management?
● What are your expectations about battery life? Will you remember to recharge your
hearing aid each day?
● Do you require compatibility with assistive listening devices or T-Coil systems?
● What is the expected lifespan and warranty coverage of the hearing aids?
● How frequently will you require follow-up visits and adjustments with your hearing
healthcare professional?
● What is the reputation and customer reviews of the hearing aid brand and model you are
considering?
● What is your budget for hearing aids?
As you can see, selecting the appropriate hearing aid can be a complex task due to the various
types, sizes, features, and abilities available to enhance your hearing. However, we hope this
article offers a comprehensive overview of the significant factors and features to consider, enabling
you to make a more informed decision about the most suitable option for your specific needs.
It's important to remember that your ultimate satisfaction depends not only on the device itself but
also on elements such as custom earmolds, which can further optimize the fit, comfort, and
performance of your hearing aids.
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